Shafaqna English– The Central Highlands region of Vietnam is responsible for approximately 17% of global coffee production, yet a significant shift is underway as local farmers increasingly abandon their traditional coffee crops in favor of durian cultivation. This transition is being driven by the rapidly growing appetite for the distinctive, strong-smelling fruit in the Chinese market, where it is widely celebrated as the “king of fruits” and commands premium prices.
Pham Xuan Lan, a farmer in the region, offered a candid assessment of the economic realities facing his community as he gave a tour of his farm to AFP reporters. He observed that while coffee cultivation offers a sustainable source of income, it is durian that holds the key to substantial wealth creation for those who choose to cultivate it.
According to official data from the Ministry of Agriculture, the total land area in Vietnam devoted to durian cultivation has experienced a dramatic increase over the last ten years, expanding by more than five times its previous size to reach 200,000 hectares—equivalent to 494,000 acres—across the country.
Source: Aawsat